Abstract: The distributor separates plastic cups (3) which are provided with outwardly-facing rims (5) from a stack (2) in a store (1) and releases them one-at-a-time into a tube (6). The distributor comprises first, lower supports (13) and second, upper supports (14) arranged peripherally of the cups and separated by less than the distance between the rims (5) of the two adjacent cups. The supports (13 and 14) alternate in operative positions in which they support rims (5) of cups so that cups are released one-at-a-time and fall into the tube (6). The distributor also comprises compressed air blowers (25) which operate when the second supports (14) move into their operational positions to exert a pressure between the cup supported by the second supports (14) and the cup which has just ceased to be supported by the first supports (13).

Abstract: A supply device for supplying flattened boxes (1) to a packaging machine, equipped for the re-supply of the boxes (1), comprising apparatus for feeding a line (4) of boxes along a magazine (2) including a front carriage (13) and a rear carriage (14) feed chains (6, 8), flat vertical slides (19, 27) for connecting the carriages (13, 14) to the feed chains (8), a double action pneumatic jack (42) for sliding the carriages (13, 14) towards or away from one another, a plate (31) mounted on the carriage (13) moveable transversely between a position facing the line (4) and a retracted position, a plate (41) on the carriage (14) facing and normally spaced from the plate (31) to form a space containing additional boxes (1). To supply the additional line (46) of boxes, the plate (41) is first moved to compact the additional line (46) and thereafter plate (31) is retracted to provide a single line of boxes.